Pratt Barndollar Obituary (1927 - 2015)

Pratt Barndollar Jr. was born on July 29, 1927, in El Paso, TX, and passed away on January 17, 2015, in Coffeyville, KS. His parents, Mabel Florence (Banta) and Pratt Barndollar, long time Coffeyville residents, also owned and operated the Muleshoe Ranch near Magdalena, NM where Pratt spent much of his childhood. His paternal grandparents J.J. Barndollar and Nonie (Pratt) Barndollar Gibson were early-day Coffeyville residents. Growing up both on the New Mexico ranch and in Coffeyville, Pratt graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1944 and attended Coffeyville Community College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served at a Japanese repatriation base in China and was honorably discharged in 1946. He completed additional work at CCC and then transferred to Kansas State University, where he was affiliated with Kappa Sigma. After graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Agriculture with an Animal Husbandry major and an Agriculture Administration minor, Pratt was employed as Herdsman for New Mexico State University in Las Cruces until called back to active duty in the Naval Reserve in 1951. When his orders were cancelled, he returned to the Coffeyville area, purchasing acreage east of town, where he started a cow-calf operation. He taught the Veterans-on-the-Farm Training Program at the Southeast Kansas Vo-Tech School before accepting a position as Loan Officer with the First National Bank. He was affiliated with the First National for 15 years, serving both as Senior Vice-President and Director. While at First National, he graduated from the University of Colorado School of Banking. Appointed to the Kansas Bankers' Association Agricultural Committee, he served as its Chairman for three years. In 1980 Pratt moved to the Condon National Bank, where he again served both as Senior Vice-President and Director before retiring from banking in 1983. He then occupied himself with his livestock and became a licensed real estate agent, serving as an appraiser with Midwest Realty. Pratt was an active supporter of the community. A lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church, he served several terms on its Board of Trustees. He became a member of the Montgomery County Fair Association (now Interstate Fair and Rodeo Board) in 1956 and served as its President in 1961. A long time member of the Montgomery County Extension Council, he also served on the Advisory Board of the Vocational-Agriculture Department at the Vo-Tech School. He became active in the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce in 1965, and was its President in 1971. Rotary, the American Legion, VFW, and the Forty & Eight veterans' organization were some of his other affiliations. He is survived by his wife of 61years Lue Edna Diver Barndollar; son Pratt III and wife Shelley Barndollar of Huffman, TX; daughter Florence Lue and husband Mark Hurlbutt of Coffeyville; daughter Rebecca Ann and husband Richard Snook of Austin; and son Peter Warren Barndollar of Kansas City. Eight much loved grandchildren also survive: Matt Hurlbutt of Dallas, Callie Hurlbutt Young and husband Cody of Oklahoma City, Tyler Barndollar and wife Brittany and Joe Barndollar, all of Calgary, Judson Snook of Dallas, Samantha Snook of Austin and Cole and Luke Barndollar of Huffman. Additionally, he is survived by two great grandchildren, Rhett Barndollar of Calgary and Charley Ann Young of Oklahoma City and two nieces, Molly McCoy of Baldwin City and Katy McCoy of Prairie Village. Pratt is also survived by a host of friends. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 20th at11:00AM at First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville with Pastor Nicole Schwartz officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 19, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 304 West 10th St. (9th and Elm), Coffeyville, KS. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337..